A Rwf2 billion modern abattoir was on Saturday opened in Rubavu District.The facility, whose construction was financed through a butchers’ cooperative known as CAMR, was opened by the Minister for Agriculture and Animal Resources, Dr Agnes Kalibata, on Saturday.Dr Kalibata lauded the butchers for using a cooperative to enhance their business, saying this would go a long way in improving both quality and quantity of meat processed in the country.The facility is fitted with modern equipment such as a shooting chamber, chain broke machine, bursting machine, stainless tray, cold room, computerised weighing scale, skinning machine, among others."Quality is key to your success as owners of this important facility. If you do not maintain standards, the plant will be closed down. You need to keep it clean and make sure your employees observe the minimum hygiene standards,” Dr Kalibata said, promising government support.The facility will also improve local livestock, food and agro processing, quality food standards as well as cross border trade.The minister stressed the need to process other parts of animals such as skin, horns, bones, among others, for other products.Improved conditionsThe plant has capacity to slaughter between 150 and 200 cattle per day. According to Dr Emmanuel Sebudandi, the president of the cooperative, the idea to have this abattoir was conceived in 2007.He said as a cooperative they are ready to work hard and maintain hygiene, quality and quantity of meat processed to attract regional market.Dr Sebudandi said the abattoir would improve the livelihood for members of the cooperative, as well as farmers in the district and nearby areas.Sebudandi said the cooperative will seek partnerships to construct a factory that will deal with processing other parts of animals like skins, horns into finished products.